Welding/Drilling a Chassis Frame ???
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2010
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Welding/Drilling a Chassis Frame ???
I have a 2000 F-350 Cab/Chassis. I want to attach a universal gooseneck plate (Carry-On trailer makes a universal gooseneck plate #805) to the actual frame rails (the truck does not have bed/flatbed on it). My question is: Are there any welding or drilling issues that I should be aware of? I prefer to NOT do a lot of drilling into the rails as I have heard that can cause some issues. There are a couple of holes already punched that I will probably put some Grade 8's down there but I am also wondering if I can make those holes a bit bigger (from 3/8" to 1/2" holes). I am also considering putting some welding into the plate after bolting it down. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
I don't think drilling a couple holes out an additional 1/8" is going to hurt anything, and as long as you are a competent welder I think you're OK there as well. Having said that, I would be very careful to place the ground lead as close as possible to the weld and disconnect the battery when welding on any chassis.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 236
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From: Middleton, ID
Yes, I wouldn't put the welding lead more than a foot away from where I was working on that truck, there's been cases of the airbags going off from placing the grounding lead at the front and welding on the rear...
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
I didn't know that, but it's good to know. I've learned from other welder's mistakes about the ground lead thing. Occasionally one of the guys at work will get lazy and ground a structure very far away where it's convenient, then weld where necessary. The problem is the current may have to travel through such things as extremely expensive bearings and/or electrical circuit boards which leads to expensive welding lessons and upset supervisors.
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